Power plant frame for trucks



Sept. 15, 1942;

A. R.r PERKINS POWER IPLANT FRAME FOR TRUCKS .'5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 25, 1941' Sept. 15, 1942. A.,R. PERKINS POWER PLANT FRAME FOR TRUCKS Filed July 25, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I RPe r z' 7275 Sept. 15, 1942. A. R. PERKINS POWER-PLANT FRAME FOR TRUCKS :s sheets-sheet :s

Filed July 23, 194i RlDerfzns Patented Sept. 15, 1942 UNITED ASTATES PATENT OFFICE POWER PLANT FRAME FOR TRUCKS Arthur R. Perkins, Oneonta, N. Y.

Application July 23, 1941, Serial No. 403,734

s claims.

This invention relates to a power plant assembly frame for mounting a front drive power assembly as shown in my copending application Serial No. 403,733 filed of even date herewith in the truck or coach body frame structure shown in my copending application Serial No. 403,731 also led of Veven date herewith.

An object of this invention is to provide a frame structure for supporting a front drive assembly which is so constructed that it may be readily secured within a truck body frame as a separate unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a power plant frame structure of this kind which is so constructed that the power plant may be initially mounted on the frame exteriorly of the truck or coach body, and the frame structure later fixed firmly within the truck or coach body, thereby facilitating the positioning of the power plant assembly as a unit in the truck or coach body. I

A further object of this invention is to provide in combination a truck or coach body frame and a power plant assembly frame so that the two frames may be initially constructed as separate elements and subsequently connected together to form a substantially integral frame structure.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and ar` rangement of parts as will be more specically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modiiications Vmay be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. v

In the drawings:` i I Figure 1 is a detail top plan partlyin section of a power plantframe for a truck or coach body constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a detail side elevation of the frame structure with the front wheel drive unit shown more specifically in my copending application Serial No. 403,733 filed of even date herewith mounted therein,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, Y v 4 Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line lI-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1, and

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line I-'I of Figure 1.V

Referring to the drawings the numeral II) designates generally a vehicle body frame structure constructed as set forth more specically in my copending application Serial No. 403,731 for a truck or coach body frame filed of even date herewith. The frame structure I0 includes side frame members II and a front frame structure I2. The front frame structure I2 has secured thereto a pair of vertically disposed tubular frame or supporting members I3 and I4 and a front drive power frame supporting structure generally designated as I5 is adapted to be secured to the vertically disposed frame members or posts I3 and I4 and is also adapted to be secured between the side frame members II 'adjacent the lower portions thereof.

The frame structure I5 includes a pair of parallel spaced apart channel members I6 and I1 which are disposed with the channel portions thereof confronting each other. The forward end portions of the channel members I6 and I'I are adapted to be welded as at I8 and I9 to the posts or vertical supporting members I3 and I4 respectively. The channel `members IB and I1 have disposed therebetween a connecting or bracing member 20, which is constructed in the form of an eye beam and which has a downwardly oifset central or intermediate portion 2l.

The intermediate portion 2| has formed integral with one end thereof an upwardly and outwardly extending extension 22, which terminates in the horizontally disposed upwardly offset portion 23. A plate 24 is fixed to the outer end portion of the horizontal extension 23 and extends a slight distance upwardly therefrom. The plate 24 is of such a height that it will snugly engage between the inwardly projecting parallel sides or legs 25 and 26 of the channel member I6. A spacer block 2l may, if desired, be interposed between the plate 24 and the bight or outer side 28 of the channel member I6. A

Fastening devices 29 in the form of bolts or the like are adapted to tightly hold the plate 24 relative to the channel member I E. The opposite end portion of the intermediate kspacing and bracing member 2|] has formed integrally therewith an upwardly and outwardly extending part 3U, which terminates in a horizontallyand outwardly extending upper part 3l which is disposed co-planar with the upper extension 23. A right angularly disposed plate 32 is welded or otherwise xedly secured to the outer end portion of the horizontal extension 3I and is adapted to snugly engage between the upper and lower sides 33 and 34 of the channel member I1. A spacer block 35 is interposed between the plate 32 and the outer side or bight 35 of the channel member I1 and fastening devices 31 in the form of bolts or the like are adapted to tightly hold the plate 32 relative to the channel member1 E1.

In order to provide a means whereby the forward end portions of the channel members I6 and I1 may be braced relative to the posts or supporting members I3 and I4, I have provided a pair of upper and lower triangular gussets or bracing members 38 and 35, which are welded to the upper and lower side members 25 and 23 and to the rear side of the post or supporting member I3. The opposite channel member I1 has welded to the upper and lower sides 33 and 34 thereof a pair of triangularly shaped gussets or bracing members 4) and 4I respectively, which are also welded to the rear side of the post or supporting member I4. The rear end of the channel member I6 has Welded or otherwise xedly Ysecured thereto a vertically disposed angle member 42, which is formed at its upper end with an inwardly projecting plate 43, which may be weldedras at 44 to theupper side 25 of Vthe channel member I6.

An outwardly extending angle member 45 is welded or otherwise xedly secured to the Vertical angle member 42 and a triangularly shaped bracingv member 45 is welded as at 41 and 48 to the horizontal member 45 and the vertical member 42 respectively. A horizontally disposed and transversely extending channel or tubular member 49, is welded as atr5 to the lower end of the vertical member 42 and is adapted to be welded or otherwise fiXedly secured at the opposite ends thereof to the lower frame members II forming a part of the vehicle body or frame structure I0. A triangularly shaped bracing member 5I is weldedas at 52 and 53 to the vertical member 42 and the lower horizontal member 49. An outer vertically disposed frame member 54 is welded or otherwise Xedly secured as at 55 to the outer end i of the upper side of the horizontal member 45 and a triangularly shaped bracing member 56 iswelded or otherwise fiXedly secured as at 51 and 58 to the horizontal member 45 and the vertical member 54 respectively.

A lower triangularly shaped bracing member 59 i is welded o1 otherwise iixedly secured as at 60 and 6| to the lower horizontal frame member 49 and the outer vertical frame member 54 respectively. The other channel member I 1 has welded as at 62 a rear vertically disposed angle member 63. `The rear angle member 63 is adapted to be welded or otherwise xedly secured to the lower horizontal framermember 49 as at 64. The upper end of the angle member 63 is formed with an inwardly bent extension Y65, which may be welded f1 is welded Yas at 12 and Y13 to the vertical angle member 63 andthe horizontal frame member 49. An outer verticallydisposed frame member 14 is welded as at 15 to the outer end of the upper horizontal member 51 and a triangularly shaped bracing member 16 is welded as at 11 and 18 to the upper horizontal frame member 61 and the vertical frame member 14 respectively. The lower end of the vertical frame member 14 is adapted to be welded or otherwise xedly secured to the adjacent channel or tubular body frame Inember II. A triangularly shaped bracing member 19 is adapted to be Welded, as at 80, to the lower frame member 49 and also to be welded as at 8| to the vertical frame member 14.

The horizontal lower frame member 49 which connects the lower ends of the vertical frame members 42 and 53 together is formed intermediate these frame members with a downwardly offset intermediate portion 82 within which the lower rear portion of the transfer case or housing embodied in my copending application Serial No. 403,732, led of even date herewith, is adapted to loosely engage. The channel members I6 and I1 have welded to the inner side portions thereof Aa pair of rear bracket members 83 and 84 respectively, the details of which are shown more'cl'early in Figure 6. These two bracket members 83 and 84 are of identical construction and are adapted to support the transfer case or housing and each bracket member includes a lower inwardly projecting plate 85 formed with an opening 86 for receiving a fasteningidevce for attaching a portion of the transfer case thereto.

A pair of vertically disposed bracingY members 81 are secured to the opposite ends of theA base plate 85 and are adapted to extend outwardly and snugly engage between the upper and lower side members 25 and 26 of the channel member |67. A*The bracing members 81 and the base plate 85 are adapted to be welded as at 88 and 89 to the channel member I6. Y

The frame structure I5 isY also adapted to have fiXedly secured thereto as by `'welding or the like a pair cf inwardly projecting motor supporting brackets 9U and 9|, which are weldedor otherwise Xedly secured to the channel members I6 and i1 and project inwardly therefrom. These brackets 90 and 9| are adapted to support the forward end portion of a motor or engine generally designated as 92, which is shown in Figure 2. The bracket membersil and 9| are constructed similar to the bracket members 83 and 84 .but aredisposed in an inverted position as shown in FigureY 4.

A second or forward pair of inwardly projecting brackets 93 and 94 are secured to the channel members I6 and I1 forwardly from the brackets 90 and 9| and are adapted to support a radiator 95, which isV shown in Figure 2. The channel member I 5 haspfixed thereto a pair of spring supporting plates 35 and 91, which may be secured to the opposite sides of the channel member I6 by fastening devices 98 and also by Welding if desired. A forward pair of spring shackle supporting members 99 and |60 are secured by fastening devices IBI to the forward end portion of the channel member I6 and spring shackles |02 are Vadapted to be connected with the supporting members 99 and |00 and also with the forward end of a spring structure |03, shown in Figure 2. The channel memberV I1 has flXedly secured thereto at a point spaced forwardly from the rear end thereof a pair of vertically disposed spring supporting plates |04 and |05, which may be secured to the channel member |1 by 'fastening devices IES and also by welding |01 as shown in Figure '1.

A forward pair of spring shackle supporting members |08 and |59 are secured as by fastening devices III] to the forward end portion of the channel member I'|. The supporting members |08 and |09 are adapted to have secured thereto shackle members |02 and a spring structure |03 is associated with the shackle member |02 and is adapted to be secured at its rear end portion between the plates |04 and |05. yThe plates |04 and |05 are provided with a pair of aligned openings III and II2 respectively through which the shackle bolt at the rear end of the spring structure |03 is adapted to engage.

The engine structure or motor 92 has connected therewith a transmission ||3 and a transfer mechanism ||4 shown more specifically in my copending application Serial No. 403,733 for a front drive power unit filed of even date herewith. A forwardly projecting drive shaft ||5 is operated from the transfer mechanism I I4 and connected at its forward end with a front axle structure generally designated as I|5 for driving the front wheels I I'|.

In the use of the power plant frame or interior chassis hereinbefore described the frame structure I5 is adapted to be initially constructed as a unit and the front drive mechanism shown in Figure 2 may then be secured to the frame structure I5. This frame structure I5 with the drive unit mounted therein is then adapted to be Welded or otherwise fixedly mounted within the frame structure I0. In this manner the frame struc;- ture I forming the frame of the vehicle or truck body may be constructed as a separate unit and subsequently the complete power unit including the front drive mechanism and the insertible interior chassis may be welded within the frame structure I0.

The frame structure I for the power unit is substantially shorter in length than the length of the vehicle body being only slightly longer in length than the length of the power unit, as

shown in Figure 2. In this manner the front end portion of the vehicle body may be formedinto a cab or compartment and the remaining or major portion of the Vehicle body may be used for receiving the articles which are to be transported by the complete truck structure.

What I claim is:

1. A power plant frame for truck or vehicle bodies comprising a pair of parallel horizontally disposed channel members, a connecting member fixed at the opposite ends thereof to said channel members inwardly from an end thereof, a right angularly disposed elongated member positioned adjacent the rear ends of said channel members and offset downwardly therefrom, pairs of vertically disposed members fixed at their lower ends to said elongated member, means fixedly securing the rear ends of said channel members to one member of each pair of said vertical members, and a connecting member fixed between each pair of said vertical members in parallel and upwardly offset relation with respect to said elongated member.

2. A power plant frame for truck or vehicle bodies comprising a pair of parallel horizontally disposed channel members, a connecting member fixed at its opposite ends to said channel members inwardly from an end thereof, a right-angularly disposed elongated member positioned adjacent the rear'ends of said channel members and offset downwardly therefrom, pairs of vertically disposed members fixed at their lower ends to said elongated member and having one member of each pair of said vertical members fixed at their upper ends to the rear ends of said channel members, and a connecting member fixed between each pair of said vertical members in parallel and upwardly offset relation with respect to said elongated member.

3. A power plant frame for truck or vehicle bodies comprising a pair of parallel horizontally disposed channel members, a connecting member being vsubstantially I-shaped in cross section with a downwardly offset intermediate portion fixed at its opposite ends to said channel members inwardly from the forward end thereof, a rightangularly disposed elongated member positioned adjacent the rear ends of said channel members and offset downwardly therefrom, pairs of very tically disposed members fixed at their lower ends to said elongated member and having one member of each pair of said vertical members fixed at their upper ends to the rear ends of said channel members, and a connecting member fixed between each pair of said vertical members in parallel and upwardly offset relation with respect to said: elongated member.

'4. A power plant frame for truck or vehicle bodies comprising a pair of parallel horizontally disposed channel members, a connecting member fixed at its opposite ends to said channel members inwardly from an end thereof, a right-angul-arly disposed elongated member positioned adjacent the rear ends of said channel members and offset downwardly therefrom, pairs of vertically disposed members fixed at their lower ends to said elongated member and having one member of each pair of said vertical members fixed at their upper ends to the rear ends of said channel members, a connecting member fixed between each pair of said vertical members in parallel and upwardly offset relation with respect to said elongated member, and a pair of inwardly directed opposed motor supports secured to said channel members forwardly of said first-named connecting member and adjacent thereto.

5. A power plant frame for truck or vehicle bodies comprising a pair of parallel horizontally disposed channel members, a connecting member fixed at its opposite ends to said channel members inwardly from an end thereof, a right-angularly disposed elongated member positioned adjacent the rear ends of said channel members and offset downwardly therefrom, pairs of vertically disposed members fixed at their lower ends to said elongated member and having one member of each pair of said vertical members fixed at their upper ends to the rear ends of said channel members, a connecting member fixed between each pair of said vertical members in parallel and upwardly offset relation with respect to said elongated member, and pairs of spring supports secured to said channel members one of said pairs being adjacent the forward end of said channels and the second of said pairs being positioned inwardly from the rear end of said channel members.

6. A power plant frame for truck or vehicle bodies comprising a pair of parallel horizontally disposed channel members, a connecting member fixed at its opposite ends to said channel members inwardly from an end thereof, a right-angularly disposed elongated member positioned adjacent the rear ends of said channel members and offset downwardly therefrom, pairs of vertically disposed members fixed at their lower ends to said elongated member land having one member of each pair of said vertical members fixed at their upper ends to the rear ends of said channel members, a connecting member fixed between each pair of said vertical members in parallel and upwardly odset relation with respect to said elongated member, and ya pair of inwardly projecting, opposed transfer housing supporting .brackets isecured to said 4channel rmembers adjacent the Vrear ends of said channel members.

7,. A power plant frame `for truck or vehicle bodies comprising va pair of parallel horizontally disposed 'channel members, va connecting member lined at nits opposite ends to said channel members inwardly from an vend thereof, Aa right-angularly `disposed elongated connecting member :positioned adjacent the ,rear ends of said channel vmembers and offset downwardly therefrom, pairs of Verticallydisposed members fixed zat their lower ends to said elongated member and having onemember of eachpair of said vverticalmembers fxedrat their upper ends lto the rear ends of said channel members, ka connecting member fixed between each pair of said `vertical `members `in parallel and upwardly offset relation with respect to said elongated member, and tbrace members secured to said pairs of upright members, said horizontal elongated member -and said secondnamed connecting member.

8. A power plant frame `for truck or vehicle bodies comprising a pair -of parallel horizontally disposed channel members, a connecting member Xed at its opposite -ends lt0 said channel members inwardly from an end thereof, a right-angularly disposed elongated member `positioned adjacent the rear ends of said channel .members and offset downwardly therefrom, pairs -of vertically disposed members fixed at their lower ends to `said elongated member and having one member of eac-h pair of said vertical members xed at their upper ends to the rear ends yof vsaid channel members, a connecting member fixed between each pair of Vsaid vertical 'members in parallel and upwardly offset relation with respect to said elongated member, and a pair of inwardly projecting opposed radiator support brackets secured to said channel members inwardly from the vforward ends thereof.

ARTHUR R. PERKINS. 

